Studies prove that Botox might help with Treatment of Depression

Even though, the major reason behind people opting for Botox is vanity but latest studies have revealed that fighting depression is another plus point of this substance. The substance which is also known by the name of botulinum toxin has been helping women and men for years to reduce their signs of ageing. The basic purpose of the substance is to paralyze the facial muscles which help with disappearance of wrinkles in a temporary manner. The substance is considered as a highly potent neurotoxin which can prove deadly to humans if the recommended dosage is not considered. During the 1970s, Botox was primarily used for treating muscular eye conditions however by late 1980s; it was discovered by doctors that the substance can also assist with facial muscles relaxation.

New researches conducted have proved that cosmetic treatment with this substance dramatically improves severe depression symptoms in number of patients. Researches carried out by Dr. Eric Frinzi have showed that forcing frowns elevate depressed mood whereas smiling deliberately can increase happiness temporarily. For his latest research, eight four people with acute depression lasting for more than two years were studied who hadn’t responded to antidepressant treatments. The patients received either a placebo injection or Botox treatment for smoothing out frown lines. The same people were assessed 3 and 6 weeks later. Surprisingly, it showed that twenty seven percent of people receiving botulinum toxin treatment reported complete remission of depression compared to seven percent of people who had received placebo injection.

Even though, Botox is highly popular for its cosmetic treatment towards age related wrinkles in and around forehead and eyes but there are lots of other benefits attached with it. Botulinum toxin is used in different types of medical applications as well as used for easing migraine, treating muscle spasms of stroke victims and also help people affected with Parkinson’s disease to control their movements. Recently, it was discovered by scientists that the substance helps in fighting cancer by boosting chemotherapy effects. The first study conducted by Dr. Finzi in the year 2006, recruited 10 women within the age group of 36 to 63, all with medical record of depression.

Majority of the patients in the study had been suffering from depression for more than 3.5 years and found little relief from conventional treatments for depression. Before the start of the experiment, every volunteer underwent thorough assessment by some clinical psychologist. This was the first time that the patients received a Botox treatment and was asked to report back after two months. Questionnaire designed for measuring scale of depression were provided to the patients after two months. The study showed that 9 patients no longer suffered from depression whereas one patient reported significant improvements when it came to the depression symptoms. Psychologist, William James was the first person to discover that there is a link between emotions and facial expression in the 1890s. M. Axel Wollmer, psychiatrist at University of Basel is of the belief that botulinum toxin treatment interrupts signals from facial muscles to brain which might be involved with maintenance and development of negative emotions.